U.S. patent application number 14/850251 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for driving device and illumination system.
The applicant listed for this patent is DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to YEN YU CHEN, CHING HO CHOU, YUNG CHUAN LU.
Application Number | 20160205755 14/850251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56368519 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160205755 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOU; CHING HO ; et
al. |
July 14, 2016 |
DRIVING DEVICE AND ILLUMINATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A driving device provides output power to an illumination device
including a plurality of filaments is provided. A first converting
module converts input power into direct current (DC) power. The
first converting module includes a pair of first input terminals
receiving the input power and a pair of first output terminals
coupled to a first node and a second node and outputting the DC
power. A first capacitor is coupled between the first node and a
third node. A second capacitor is coupled between the second and
third nodes. The first clamping module is connected to a first
specific capacitor in parallel. The first specific capacitor is the
first capacitor or the second capacitor. A second converting module
converts the DC power to generate the output power.
Inventors: |
CHOU; CHING HO; (TAOYUAN
CITY, TW) ; LU; YUNG CHUAN; (TAOYUAN CITY, TW)
; CHEN; YEN YU; (TAOYUAN CITY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC. |
TAOYUAN CITY |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
56368519 |
Appl. No.: |
14/850251 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
315/97 ;
315/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 41/245 20130101;
H05B 41/295 20130101; H05B 41/2983 20130101; H05B 41/24
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05B 41/298 20060101
H05B041/298 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 8, 2015 |
TW |
104100487 |
Claims
1. A driving device providing output power to an illumination
device comprising a plurality of filaments, comprising: a first
converting module converting input power into direct current (DC)
power, wherein the first converting module comprises a pair of
first input terminals receiving the input power and a pair of first
output terminals coupled to a first node and a second node and
outputting the DC power; a first capacitor coupled between the
first node and a third node; a second capacitor coupled between the
second and third nodes; a first clamping module connected to a
first specific capacitor in parallel, wherein the first specific
capacitor is among the first and second capacitors; and a second
converting module converting the DC power to generate the output
power, wherein the second converting module comprises a second
input terminal pair coupled to the first and second nodes and a
second output terminal pair outputting the output power to light
the illumination device.
2. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
converting module is an AC-DC converter and has a power factor
correction (PFC) function.
3. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
clamping module is a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) or a metal
oxide varistor (MOV).
4. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
capacitance values of the first and second capacitors are higher
than 22 uF.
5. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
second capacitors are disposed in the first converting module.
6. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output
power is alternating current (AC) power with a high frequency.
7. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a
preheating module connected to a second specific capacitor in
parallel and transferring energy stored in the second specific
capacitor to preheat the filament, wherein the second specific
capacitor is among the first and second capacitors.
8. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a
second clamping module connected to a second specific capacitor in
parallel, wherein the second specific capacitor is among the first
and second capacitors.
9. An illumination system comprises: a first illumination device
comprising a plurality of filament and turned on according to
output power; a first converting module converting input power into
direct current (DC) power, wherein the first converting module
comprises a pair of first input terminals receiving the input power
and a pair of first output terminals coupled to a first node and a
second node and outputting the DC power; a first capacitor coupled
between the first node and a third node; a second capacitor coupled
between the second and third nodes; a first clamping module
connected to a first specific capacitor in parallel, wherein the
first specific capacitor is among the first and second capacitors;
and a second converting module converting the DC power to generate
the output power, wherein the second converting module comprises a
second input terminal pair coupled to the first and second nodes
and a second output terminal pair outputting the output power to
turn on the illumination device.
10. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9, further
comprising: a second illumination device connecting to the first
illumination device in parallel and turned on according to the
output power, wherein when the first illumination device is not
turned on, the second illumination device is turned on according to
the output power.
11. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
first converting module is an AC-DC converter and has a power
factor correction (PFC) function.
12. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
first clamping module is a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) or a
metal oxide varistor (MOV).
13. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
capacitance values of the first and second capacitors are higher
than 22 uF.
14. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
output power is alternating current (AC) power with a high
frequency.
15. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9, further
comprising: a preheating module connected to a second specific
capacitor in parallel and transferring energy stored in the second
specific capacitor to preheat the filament, wherein the second
specific capacitor is among the first and second capacitors.
16. The illumination system as claimed in claim 9, further
comprising: a second clamping module connected to a second specific
capacitor in parallel, wherein the second specific capacitor is
among the first and second capacitors.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent
Application No. 104100487, filed on Jan. 8, 2015, the entirety of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a driving device, and more
particularly to a driving device to light an illumination
device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Illumination is a base requirement for people. In recent
years, economic and trade activities and business activities are
frequently held, and quality of home life is increased. The amount
of electricity required for illumination is increased. Therefore,
the power consumption of illumination is appreciable. Low-voltage,
gas-discharge lamps are used widely. These lamps are referred to as
fluorescent lamps.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment, a driving device provides
output power to an illumination device comprising a plurality of
filaments and comprises a first converting module, a first
capacitor, a second capacitor, a first clamping module, and a
second converting module. The first converting module converts
input power into direct current (DC) power. The first converting
module comprises a pair of first input terminals receiving the
input power and a pair of first output terminals coupled to a first
node and a second node and outputting the DC power. The first
capacitor is coupled between the first node and a third node. The
second capacitor is coupled between the second and third nodes. The
first clamping module is connected to a first specific capacitor in
parallel. The first specific capacitor is the first capacitor or
the second capacitor. The second converting module converts the DC
power to generate the output power. The second converting module
comprises a second input terminal pair coupled to the first and
second nodes and a second output terminal pair outputting the
output power to turn on the illumination device.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment, an illumination
system comprises a first illumination device, a first converting
module, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a first clamping
module, and a second converting module. The first illumination
device comprises a plurality of filaments. The first illumination
device is turned on according to output power. The first converting
module converts input power into direct current (DC) power. The
first converting module comprises a pair of first input terminals
receiving the input power and a pair of first output terminals
coupled to a first node and a second node and outputting the DC
power. The first capacitor is coupled between the first node and a
third node. The second capacitor is coupled between the second and
third nodes. The first clamping module is connected to a first
specific capacitor in parallel. The first specific capacitor is the
first capacitor or the second capacitor. The second converting
module converts the DC power to generate the output power. The
second converting module comprises a second input terminal pair
coupled to the first and second nodes and a second output terminal
pair outputting the output power to turn on the illumination
device.
[0008] A detailed description is given in the following embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention can be more fully understood by referring to
the following detailed description and examples with references
made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIGS. 1 and 5 are schematic diagrams of exemplary
embodiments of an illumination system, in accordance with some
embodiments;
[0011] FIGS. 2-3 and 6 schematic diagrams of exemplary embodiments
of a driving device, in accordance with some embodiments; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
a connection among a converting module, a preheating module and a
load, in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The following description is of the best-contemplated mode
of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and
should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention
is best determined by reference to the appended claims.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
an illumination system, in accordance with some embodiments. The
illumination system 100 comprises a driving device 110 and a load
120. The driving device 110 generates output power AC.sub.OUT to
drive the load 120 according to input power AC.sub.IN. In this
embodiment, the load 120 comprises illumination devices 121 and
122, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some
embodiments, the load 120 may comprise one or more illumination
devices. The illumination devices 121 and 122 are continuously
turned on according to the output power AC.sub.OUT.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination devices 121 and 122 are
connected to the driving device 110 in parallel and are capable of
operating independently. For example, when the illumination device
121 fails or is removed from the illumination system 100, when the
driving device 110 continuously provides the output power
AC.sub.OUT, the illumination device 122 can be turned on.
Similarly, when the illumination device 122 fails or is removed
from the illumination system 100, the illumination device 121 can
be turned on.
[0016] Since the operation of each illumination device 121 and 122
is the same, the illumination device 121 is used herein as an
example. As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination device 121 is a light
tube 126 comprising filaments 127 and 128. In one embodiment,
before the driving device 100 provides the output power, the
driving device 110 first preheats the filaments 127 and 128 to help
the illumination device 121 to generate free electrons easily.
Furthermore, when the light tube 126 is preheated, a light voltage
across the light tube 126 can be reduced and the lift time of the
light tube 126 can be increased. Therefore, before providing the
output power AC.sub.OUT, the driving device 110 is capable of
turning on the illumination device 121 quickly. In another
embodiment, the driving device 110 does not preheat the
illumination device 121 but directly provides the output power
AC.sub.OUT. In this case, the illumination device 121 receives the
output power AC.sub.OUT to turn on. The invention does not limit
the type of illumination device. In some embodiments, the
illumination devices are bulbs. In one embodiment, the driving
device 110 is capable of serving an electronic ballast having a
filament-heating apparatus.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
a driving device, in accordance with some embodiments. The driving
device 210 comprises converting modules 211 and 215, capacitors 213
and 214, a clamping module 212, and a preheating module 216. The
converting module 211 converts the input power AC.sub.IN into a
direct current (DC) power P.sub.DC. In this embodiment, the
converting module 211 comprises a pair of input terminals receiving
the input power AC.sub.IN. The converting module 211 comprises a
pair of output terminals coupled to the nodes N.sub.1 and N.sub.2.
In one embodiment, the input power AC.sub.IN is an alternating
current (AC) power and the peak-to-peak value of the AC power is
approximately 347V. After the converting module 211 converts the AC
power, the voltage level of the DC power P.sub.DC is approximately
560V. In one embodiment, the converting module 211 is an AC-DC
converter to convert AC power having a low frequency to DC power
having a high frequency. In another embodiment, the converting
module 211 has a power factor correction (PFC) function.
[0018] The capacitors 213 and 214 are serially connected between
the nodes N.sub.1 and N.sub.2. As shown in FIG. 2, the capacitor
213 is coupled between the nodes N.sub.1 and N.sub.3. The capacitor
214 is coupled between the nodes N.sub.3 and N.sub.2. In this
embodiment, the capacitance values of the capacitors 213 and 214
are micro-farad. In one embodiment, the capacitance values of the
capacitors 213 and 214 are higher than 22 uF. In other embodiment,
the capacitors 213 and 214 are integrated into the converting
module 211. In some embodiments, if the converting module 211
originally has two capacitors connected between the nodes N.sub.1
and N.sub.2 in series, the capacitors 213 and 214 can be
omitted.
[0019] The clamping module 212 is connected to the capacitor 213 or
214 in parallel to clamp the voltage across the capacitor 213 or
214. In this embodiment, the clamping module 212 is connected to
the capacitor 213 in parallel to clamp the voltage of the capacitor
213 and provides a charging path for the capacitor 214. The
invention does not limit the type of clamping module 212. Any
element or circuit can serve as the clamping module 212, as long as
the element or circuit is capable of clamping a voltage. In one
embodiment, the clamping module 212 is a transient voltage
suppressor (TVS), a surge absorber, or a metal oxide varistor
(MOV). In some embodiments, if the converting module 211 originally
has two capacitors connected between the nodes N.sub.1 and N.sub.2
in series, the clamping module 212 is connected to one of the
capacitors in parallel.
[0020] The converting module 215 converts the DC power P.sub.DC to
generate the output power AC.sub.OUT. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair
of the input terminals of the converting module 215 is coupled to
the nodes N.sub.1 and N.sub.2 to receive the DC power P.sub.DC. The
pair of the output terminals of the converting module 215 provides
the output power AC.sub.OUT to light the load 220. Since the
internal structure of the load 220 is the same as that of the load
120, the description of the load 220 is omitted. In this
embodiment, the converting module 215 is a DC-AC converter to
convert DC power with high voltage level to AC power with a high
frequency.
[0021] The preheating module 216 is connected to the capacitor 213
or 214 in parallel. In this embodiment, since the clamping module
212 is connected to the capacitor 213 in parallel, the preheating
module 216 is connected to the capacitor 214 in parallel. The
preheating module 216 transfers the energy stored in the capacitor
214 to provide preheating energy to preheat the filament of the
load 220. When the preheating module 216 captures the energy stored
in the capacitor 214, since the clamping module 212 limits the
voltage of the capacitor 213, the voltage across the capacitor 213
is not too high. Therefore, a designer does not need to utilize a
high voltage capacitor to serve as the capacitor 213.
[0022] For example, assuming that the voltage level of the DC power
P.sub.DC is approximately 560V: Since the capacitor 213 is
connected to the capacitor 214 in series, the capacitors 213 and
214 are charged, and the voltages of the capacitors 213 and 214 are
approximately 280V. When the energy stored in the capacitor 214 is
transferred to the preheating module 216, since the voltage across
the capacitor 214 is too low, the capacitor 213 is charged.
However, the clamping module 212 limits the voltage across the
capacitor 213. In one embodiment, when the voltage across the
capacitor 213 exceeds 300V, the clamping module 212 starts
operating to stop charging the capacitor 213. At this time, the
clamping module 212 provides a charging path to charge the
capacitor 214. Therefore, the voltage of the capacitor 213 is not
too high, and the voltage of the capacitor 214 can quickly be
charged to 280V to supply the preheating module 216. Since the
voltages across the capacitors 213 and 214 are controlled, the
voltages of the capacitors 213 and 214 are maintained.
[0023] Additionally, when the voltage of the capacitor 213 does not
reach the turn-on voltage (e.g. 300V) of the clamping module 212,
the clamping module 212 does not operate. Therefore, there is no
power consumption. Furthermore, the voltages of the capacitors 213
and 214 are controlled by the clamping module 212 such that
capacitors pressuring high voltage are not required to serve as the
capacitors 213 and 214. Therefore, the cost of elements is
reduced.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
a driving device, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3 is
similar to FIG. 2 with the exception of the connections of the
clamping module 312 and the preheating module 316. Since the
operations of the converting modules 311 and 315 are the same as
those of the converting modules 211 and 215 shown in FIG. 2, the
descriptions of the converting modules 311 and 315 are omitted.
[0025] In this embodiment, the clamping module 312 is connected to
the capacitor 314 in parallel to clamp the voltage of the capacitor
314. When the voltage of the capacitor 314 reaches a clamping
level, the clamping module 312 starts working to maintain the
voltage of the capacitor 314 in the clamping level. In addition,
the preheating module 316 is connected to the capacitor 313 in
parallel to captures the energy stored in the capacitor 313 and
transfer the energy to the filaments (not shown) of the load
320.
[0026] When the voltage of the capacitor 313 reaches a
pre-determined level, the preheating module 316 captures the energy
stored in the capacitor 313 and transforms the energy to a
preheating energy to preheat the filaments of the load 320. At this
time, the voltage of the capacitor 313 is reduced. However, the
clamping module 312 limits the voltage of the capacitor 314 to
avoid the voltage of the capacitor 314 being too high. Therefore,
the voltage of the capacitor 314 is maintained at a stable voltage
to provide a stable heating energy.
[0027] Furthermore, when the preheating module 316 does not
transfer energy to the load 320, the voltages of the capacitors 313
and 314 are not changed. Therefore, the clamping module 312 stops
working, and there is no power consumption. In one embodiment, the
clamping module 312 is a TVS, a surge absorber, or a MOV.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
a connection among a converting module, a preheating module and a
load, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, the
preheating module 416 comprises a DC-AC converter 431 and an
isolation transformer 432. The DC-AC converter 431 captures and
converts input energy P.sub.I to generate output energy P.sub.O. In
this embodiment, the input energy P.sub.I is provided by a
capacitor. Taking FIG. 2 as an example, the input energy P.sub.I is
the energy stored in the capacitor 214.
[0029] The isolation transformer 432 comprises a primary winding
433, a magnetic core 434, and secondary windings 435.about.437. The
primary winding 433 is coupled to the DC-AC converter 431 to
receive the output energy P.sub.O. The secondary winding 435 is
coupled to two ends of the filament 425 to preheat the filament
425. The secondary winding 436 is coupled to two ends of the
filament 421 to preheat the filament 421. The secondary winding 437
is coupled to two ends of the filaments 424 and 426 to preheat the
filaments 424 and 426.
[0030] When the primary winding 433 receives the output energy
P.sub.O, the secondary windings 435.about.437 generate preheating
energy to preheat the filaments 423-426. When the converting module
415 provides the output power AC.sub.OUT, the light tubes 421 and
422 are lighted quickly. Since the converting module 415 is the
same as the converting module 215 or 315, the description of the
converting module 415 is omitted.
[0031] In one embodiment, the preheating module 416 operates
temporarily, such as for 0.5 sec. After preheating the filaments
423.about.426, the preheating module 416 stops operating. At this
time, when the converting module 415 provides the output power
AC.sub.OUT, the light tubes 421 and 422 are lighted quickly.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
embodiment of an illumination system, in accordance with some
embodiments. The illumination system 500 comprises a driving device
510 and a load 520. The driving device 510 generates output power
AC.sub.OUT to drive the load 520 according to input power
AC.sub.IN. In this embodiment, the load 520 comprises illumination
devices 521 and 522. The illumination devices 521 and 522 are
turned on according to the output power AC.sub.OUT.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
embodiment of a driving device, in accordance with some
embodiments. The driving device 510 comprises converting modules
511 and 515, capacitors 513 and 514, and clamping modules 512 and
516. Since the operations of the converting modules 511 and 515 are
the same as the operations of the converting modules 211 and 215,
the descriptions of the converting modules 511 and 515 are omitted.
In this embodiment, the clamping module 512 is connected to the
capacitor 513 in parallel, and the clamping module 516 is connected
to the capacitor 514 in parallel.
[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0035] While the invention has been described by way of example and
in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar
arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art).
Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and similar arrangements.
* * * * *